Expansion to testing lab will help transform research

Rolla, Missouri

Christner is currently working with the university to renovate and expand the Butler-Carlton Civil Engineering Building, originally constructed in 1959. The building currently houses the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Departments.

The 16,237 sf project includes the expansion of a state-of-the-art laboratory expansion that will increase research laboratory space, allowing faculty and students to engage in new research that is critical to the ever-changing infrastructure needs. The project also includes the addition of collaboration areas, such as a conference room.

Located at one of the main entries to campus, the new addition will put concrete research on display. Strategic placement of large windows will make the batch plant highly visible to students and campus visitors. The architecture of the building will integrate patented concrete technologies developed at the University and highlight emerging innovations. The addition and renovation will also utilize the opportunity to consolidate existing teaching and research functions that are currently spread over multiple buildings around campus.

Research performed in the new Advanced Construction Materials Laboratory will enable the development, manufacturing, and implementation of innovative and sustainable materisl for civil infrastruture, with an emphasis on cement-based materials. The wide-range of studies performed on concrete will look at new capabilities that will allow the fabrication and testing of full-scale structural members with advanced materials that are not readily available.